McDonnell Douglas Test - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition mcdonnell-douglas-test

Definition :

McDonnell Douglas test, employment law. The principal for applying a shifting burden of proof in employment-discrimination cases, essentially requiring the plaintiff to come forward with evidence of discrimination and the defendant to come forward with evidence showing that the employment action complained of was taken for non-discriminatory reasons. Under this test, the plaintiff is first required to establish a prima facie case of discrimination, as by showing that the plaintiff is a member of a protected group and suffered an averse employment action. If the plaintiff satisfies that burden, then the defendant must articulate a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for the employment action complained of. If the defendant satisfies that burden, then the plaintiff must prove that the defendant's stated reason is just a pretext for discrimination and that discrimination was the real reason for the employment action, Mc Donnell Douglas Corp v. Green, 411 US 792, 93 S.Ct. 1817 (1973); Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 994.